Visitors to the 2017 New York State Fair were most likely better oriented to recent layout changes and more able to locate their favorite vendors and attractions. The Fair used a creative, low-tech method to assist them by floating balloons over various areas to lead people to them. 
That kind of creativity and resourcefulness, complemented by more modern techniques, such as drone-assisted monitoring of parking and traffic, are needed as the Fair continues to grow.
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Traditions are a vital component at the New York State Fair, but there are some that may have outlived their appeal. Labor Day features a parade by various union groups that march down the front road and circle Chevy Court. Certainly it’s appropriate to recognize and accommodate working folks on Labor Day. But moving the parade to Broadway, as other parades were moved, would be a good idea, still visible, but less disruptive on what has become a very busy day.
For some reason, part of this Labor Day tradition has been the inclusion in the parade of motorcycles being driven along the route. Bikes can be cool and some fairgoers enjoy seeing them, but this year, the roar from some of the engines was ear-splitting. If you were trapped in the Chevy Court/Dinosaur Bar-B-Que island, you were subjected to potential eardrum damage from the excessive noise.
Re-routing this parade and eliminating excessively-loud bikes are two ideas whose times have come.
A graffiti artist seems like an odd attraction for the New York State Fair, but the elongated canvas splashed by Arcy during the baker’s dozen of Fair days was more than a colorful wall. 
His New York-themed panorama was a collage of people and places, bisecting Times Square and dressing up the entertainment lawn.
The Milk Bar switched from the classic tickets to tokens while retaining the popular 25-cent price. 
At times the machines ran out, requiring customers to stand in line to buy from a cashier, but overall, things went smoothly.
As always, the Pan African Village was the site of stylish musical events at the 2017 New York State Fair.
This singer/guitarist fronted a band that played the stage one afternoon.
John Heard gave drumming lessons to visitors.
State Fair Hound’s review of the 2017 New York State Fair continues today with a look a one big change that didn’t quite hit the big time yet. The Empire Experience area had its pond, a big stage, a tiki bar and plenty of open area for vendors and exhibitors. 
But it didn’t seem to catch on with Fair patrons as it was under attended most of the time. It will gain popularity, maybe next year.
People just need to pay attention to what’s happening down there and realize they can catch a tram or ride the Skyliner to get there. The potential is certainly there, but 2017 was its infancy.
Looking back on the 13-day New York State Fair just past, there were lots of hits and a few misses. The Hound’s review starts today with the spectacular Wade Shows midway. 
The headline was the addition of the Broadway Skyliner, a structure destined to define the Fair in future years. But the incredible number of rides and games and the sprawling, open layout make this playground a paradise for kids of all ages. The were services, seating, snack stands and even a return of the I Got It game tents. It was bright, splashy, noisy and very exciting.
With New York State Fair 2017 in the history book, State Fair Hound has some great memories to share.
Views of the new Broadway Skyliner were breathtaking from the air or the ground.
Hundreds of teens brought their hard work and unbridled enthusiasm to livestock competitions.
Technology took its place among Center of Progress vendors.
Some old favorites got new looks.
Great entertainment filled every corner.
Standing near the Chevy Court stage with a cold New York draft beer in hand, basking in an explosive 15-minute fireworks spectacle, was a great way to cap off Labor Day and a record-smashing New York State Fair. 
The warm glow of the main gate was the perfect backdrop, as seen in this photo from Nick LoPresti. Meanwhile there were still thousands of people swarming the grounds for one last spin on a midway ride or a final taste of glorious Fair chow.
The final count came in at just shy of 1,162,000. In case you missed it, if you held onto some $6 advance-sale tickets, instead paying just a buck on those impromptu special-price days, you can use those tickets next year–quite a bonus.
More review, analysis and commentary coming up over the next few days from State Fair Hound.
If there’s one word that can be used to describe the 2017 New York State Fair, it’s “big.” Make that “enormous.”
Our Fair has always been one of the largest in the country and the layout changes for 2016 increased useable space significantly. 
But with this year’s opening of the Empire Experience grounds, the view from the Broadway Skyliner really emphasized that this is one massive, impressive event. Consider this; There was so much space inside the perimeter that some areas seemed empty, unused. Future plans for those open spots assure that the growth will continue.
Even when over 100,000 people invaded the grounds, it didn’t seem extremely crowded. There were bottlenecks, like the corner between the dairy cattle barn and the Ox Roast, leading to the colonnade, 
that were difficult to navigate, but there are fewer such tight spots.
Though attendance numbers don’t tell the whole story, you remember when one million visitors was the magic number–the holy grail. After the past two Fairs, anything less would be disappointing.
As Fair lovers look back on 2017, they may shiver remembering the chilly temperatures or grimace looking back on the traffic jams–though this year was a definite improvement over 2016. But only a really hardcore curmudgeon can see this fabulous event as anything less than amazing, exciting, delicious and yes–very big.